The Jewish state celebrated its sixty-fifth Independence Day commemorations this week. Though sixty-five years occupies most of the time span allotted to humans on this earth, in the eyes of history it is a relatively short time. Nevertheless, I think that one must marvel at what has occurred here in the Land of Israel over the past sixty-five years. And, the world has certainly changed... READ MORE →
The problem with common sense is that it is none too common. In fact, one could characterize it as a rare commodity or even as an endangered species. Does not common sense tell us that Shas, United Torah Judaism and Bayit Hayehudi, all of whom proclaim their loyalty to Torah, should form one bloc in order to influence the country and its government? Yet we are witness to terribly vicious and... READ MORE →
I recently read an article written by a Jewish blogger who strongly defended Israel and was very critical of the growing blatant bent of anti-Semitic and anti-Israel writings of the progressive Left and some sections of world academia. He received a sharply worded letter from a fellow Jew who demanded to know why this blogger had not written such a blog about discrimination against... READ MORE →
In spite of all rumors to the contrary and all machinations at the United Nations, the Palestinian people are really stateless. They have two governing bodies, one in Gaza ruled by Hamas and the other is located in portions of the West Bank ruled by Fatah. In spite of all of the trappings of sovereignty, neither entity seems to be interested in or engaged in state-building. Their stated,... READ MORE →
Individuals, societies and nations are always pursuing the elusive goal of self-definition. God’s question to Adam “Where are you?” can easily be interpreted as also being the question of “Who are you?” The search for our true inner self is the single most complicated and psychologically difficult pursuit of the human soul. Many people unfortunately define themselves only in terms of... READ MORE →
Much debate rages as to who won the latest Israeli Hamas encounter. Only time will tell what lasting effects, if any, came from this violent struggle. Yet I think certain things are clear. One is that in spite of negative international pressures Israel is still independent and powerful enough to respond to violent aggression. The world has a difficult time realizing that Jewish blood is... READ MORE →
יש ויכוח גדול בשאלה מי ניצח בעימות האחרון בין ישראל והחמאס. רק ימים יגידו אילו השפעות ארוכות טווח, אם בכלל, היו למאבק האלים הזה. עם זאת, אני חושב שכמה דברים כבר ברורים, ואחד מהם הוא שחרף הלחצים הבינלאומיים, מדינת ישראל... READ MORE →
Summer here in Israel is the time for Saturday night demonstrations. Most of the time the demonstrations are gatherings looking for a cause rather than a cause inspiring demonstrations. It is just the thing to do on the warm Saturday nights in Tel Aviv. For many years the demonstrations concentrated on the peace process with the Palestinians. However it has become clear to the vast... READ MORE →
The attitude of Jews towards the Land of Israel has always been a litmus type of test of Jewish commitment and even faith throughout the ages. As we see in this week’s parsha, from the beginning of our national existence there have always been Jews – leading Jews, well-intentioned Jews, even outwardly pious Jews – who have preferred living somewhere else in the world to living in the... READ MORE →
This month of June commemorates the forty-fifth anniversary of the Six Day War, an event that changed Israeli and Jewish in myriad ways. Those of us who lived through those fateful and fearsome days, we recall the foreboding and mental and emotional depression that gripped the Jewish world for the three weeks leading up to the war itself. The Arabs proclaimed that they would end the State... READ MORE →
